The situation in Iran and the challenge issued by this courageous Chaldean Bishop should cause us to pause and think as we enter into these Holy Days. This Bishop is correct; a culture without God has no future. He also asks us the right question, what are we doing with our freedoms? Pope Benedict reminds us that "A missionary Church known for proclaiming her message to all peoples must necessarily work for the freedom of the faith. She desires to transmit the gift of the truth that exists for one and all."

Chaldean Catholic Bishop
Ramzi Garmou

CHESAPEAKE,VA (Catholic Online) - I recently read a report from Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic Charity under the guidance of the Holy Father with a special mission to "help suffering and persecuted faithful worldwide. It was an interview with the Chaldean Catholic Bishop of Tehran, Ramzi Garmou. He gave the charity a message for Christians of the West, "Be aware of the value of the freedom that you enjoy."

*****"He then challenged Western Christians to "make good use of their freedom," asking, "How do you use it in your countries?" He emphasized that they must not become "the slaves of a culture that seeks to drive God out of people's hearts," but rather that they should use their freedom to "propagate respect for human life." A culture without God leads to "death" and has "no future," he said.

"Christians in Iran only represent a small minority, yet "their vitality does not depend on their numbers but on the quality of their faith and their living witness." In their "day-to-day dialogue" with the Muslims, the Christians in Iran "give authentic witness to the values of the Gospels," he continued.

One of the least understood aspects of entrepreneurship is why small businesses fail, and there’s a simple reason for the confusion: Most of the evidence comes from the entrepreneurs themselves.

We interviewed a number of Chaldean small business entrepreneurs about what they believe is the cause of business failures.

Some of the Chaldeans we interviewed had business failures themselves; others shared what challenges close friends and family members faced that caused their business to fail.

The interviewed included a questionnaire, discussion, and follow-up questions in order to gain a better understanding of the challenges. We sampled 138 Chaldean businesses in California, 43 in Chicago, and 206 in Michigan. We grouped the common causes in the list below, which does not have any specific order.

Rick Santorum greets the crowd at the St. William Dad Club 23rd Annual Lenter Fish Fry at St. William Catholic Parish in Walled Lake on Friday, February 24, 2012

Michigan, USA – U.S. Presidential candidates see Michigan as a game changer as they try to persuade voters for their support. “Mitt Romney, a former teen resident of Michigan, thought he all but had Michigan in his wallet. Quite an elitist and entitled mentality if you ask me,” says Calvin Denha. “Romney is in the pocket of politicians and really not for the people,” Denha adds.

Chaldeans are overwhelmingly turning towards Rick Santorum as their favored candidate. Chaldean community leaders and Chaldeans politically knowledgeable favor Santorum’s consistency, ability to work with both parties, and experience in government. Chaldean conservatives love Santorum for his values and integrity. Chaldean independents and entrepreneurs appreciate Santorum’s understanding of small business challenges and government overreach. The minority of Chaldean liberals even like Santorum for his fairness, statesmanship, and willingness to listen.

California, USA – “Chaldeans fortunate enough to make it to the land of milk and honey are getting a genuine swig of sour milk and crusty honey,” says Joseph Badoun. California, El Cajon officials have been in debate on how to deal with Chaldean senior citizens gathering to play cards. “This whole ordeal is a joke. These are men in their final years, many of who are church elders, and community fathers playing cards in a community center.”

Badoun may laugh-off the ordeal, but to Chaldean seniors the issue has been unsettling and stressful. El Cajon officials have launched aggressive crackdowns targeting Chaldeans and there gathering places. Calls to the Mayor’s office initially went unanswered as to the reason or motive behind the crackdowns.

Chaldeans are known for their savvy skills in business and negotiations. Given communication is a fundamental skill in business and negotiations; you might be tempted to logically conclude Chaldeans must be great communicators.

Let’s just say Chaldeans communicate differently than most in the West are accustomed to in business and negotiations. Commonly Chaldeans in communications will be more outspoken, quick, transparent, bold, candid, and gesticulate freely in the discussion.

This can be intimidating, frustrating, and difficult for non-Chaldeans who are taught a more linear, quiet, subtle, and masked way of sharing ones thoughts and feelings.

A few weeks ago, I was asked to join two close friends for lunch, John, a Chaldean and Russell, a non-Chaldean (Names have been changed to protect the innocent). Throughout the lunch, I couldn't help but feel there was some sort of communication breakdown. John would cut Russell off even though he was still talking. John kept offering unwanted advice and opinions, even though Russell was not asking for help. It became quite frustrating just 15 minutes into the conversation. After 30 minutes, Russell stopped sharing and nodded away to everything John said.

Many Chaldeans are well aware of how “Big Government” and “Big Businesses” use laws to pick their winners and losers rather than provide real justice. “Saying laws are only intended for justice is a joke. Most laws are meant to control the masses to submit to the will of Big Businesses,” says Kevin Shonea of Chula Vista, California.

Shonea is the president of Web Logics and Analysis, an online company that evaluates the impact of online technology on a company’s bottom line. “Politicians and big business lobbyists plan new laws and hatch talking points and scenarios to get the public to swallow new laws under the guise of justice or creating jobs.”

Leonard Leo’s video interview with Terry Jeffrey at CNSNews.com that despite the long-term U.S. military occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, Christianity may well be wiped out in the region because, as CNSNews put it, of "severe and persistent persecution of Christians there" by Muslims.

During the interview Jeffrey asked “We are looking at two different countries where the United States invaded, occupied, changed their governments in the last decade — Iraq and Afghanistan — where it’s possible Christianity might be eradicated in our lifetime?”

Leo responded, “Yes, and, unfortunately, that is sort of the pattern throughout the Middle Eastern region. The flight of Christians out of the region is unprecedented and it’s increasing year by year. It’s a very, very alarming situation.”

The situation for Chaldeans and other Christians throughout the Mideast is worsening. In its annual report, USCIRF observed:

Turkey, Gavur – Hidden from many is a small town in Turkey of peaceful survivors of Gavur. Defying all odds these humble groups of villagers have survived the holocaust of WWI and continue to rebuild their lives under ongoing persecution and threat.

The town’s name alone makes the point. Gavur is an offensive ethnic slur used by Muslims in Turkey and the Balkans to describe infidels, with particular reference to Christians like Chaldeans, Greeks, Armenians, Bulgarians, Serbs and Assyrians. The term is considered highly offensive and meant to say somebody is inferior, an immoral creature, less than human.

In Turkish history gavur is so deeply rooted in society as an insult. The Ottoman leaders in the First World War were motivating their soldiers by convincing them they were fighting a war against infidels.

Between 1919 and 1923, large number of Christians that lived in Anatolia and surrounding regions were made as scapegoats and targeted for annihilation.

HAZEL PARK, Mich. (WJBK) - A totaled Lincoln flipped over along I-75 just north of Eight Mile in Hazel Park. 21-year-old Feras Salem and 26-year-old Madonna Jarbo, both from Sterling Heights, were killed at the scene.

California, USA - Tears were wept, emotions were stirred, and the presence of God was felt for the first time in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Friday, March 25 as Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo consecrated the new church in front of a congregation of literally hundreds of faithful who came from as far as Arizona to witness and commemorate the momentous occasion. Among the crowd were our seminarians and sisters, who drove 8 hours on Thursday in order to stand alongside the 70 families who belong to the new parish.

[Please select the bleow link within the article to view photos of the event]

Californai, USA - Chaldean leaders from around the world recently met in Rancho San Diego, California to discuss the ongoing challenges the Christians of Iraq continue to face. Frustrated over the lack of support and reluctance to support Christians of the Middle East, the representatives gathered to discuss options. Chaldean leaders from as far as Australia, Canada, UK, Syria, Jordon, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Mexico, Norway, and the US made up over 15 countries of delegates. A historic gathering they called it. The first of its kind -- at least in modern memory, they said.

More than 300 people attended the local conference, which took place March 30 and April 1. Including Ambassador Peter Bodde, assistant chief with the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, spoke at the conference. Bodde told the group that the U.S. government is working to safeguard Chaldeans and other minority communities in Iraq. A U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state also attended, telling the group that the Obama administration has requested funds from Congress to promote the safety of Christians in Iraq.

Illinois, USA – Foregoing any open tournaments and soft early-season scheduling, Northwestern University (NU) dove headfirst into exciting dual competition to begin the year. NU made the trek to Stanford University looking to avenge a 27-6 loss to the Cardinal in 2009 and managed to do just that, rallying from a 13-6 deficit to win the dual, 18-16. Helping to lead the effort was Chaldean wrestler Andrew Nadhir (149 lbs.) posting a major decision victory to ensure a successful debut for first-year head coach Drew Pariano.

Nadhir is a three-time Detroit Catholic League champion, Michigan High School Athletics Association all-state and Detroit News second-team all-state selection. Nadhir ended his high school career with a 37-29 record in three seasons on varsity while leading the Catholic Central Shamrocks to three district championships and one regional championship. The young scholar chose Northwestern over Duke and Michigan State choosing to major in economics.

Baghdad, IRAQ – The massacre of Iraqi Christians by Muslim fanatics sent cold shivers of shock across the Western world. “The heinous killing of women and infants shows what Islam is turning into,” says Fathel Barto, a Chaldean ambulance driver in Iraq through a translator. “They have become the poison of a snake killing helpless and defenseless women and babies for no reason. These people do not fight and they do not harm anyone. These ignorant and barbaric men have sinned against Islam. Any true believer of Mohammed would be just as mad and openly condemn them and who they are.”

Barto’s assumptions seem to have fallen on deaf ears as Muslim leaders and politicos remain silent and apathetic to what has come to be known as the Massacre of Martyrs. The attack on the congregation of Our Lady of Salvation Catholic Church was the bloodiest single attack on an Iraqi Christian church in recent history. The latest toll now reached nearly a hundred dead and 78 tragically wounded. Many of the dead and dreadfully wounded were women, toddlers, and small babies attending Sunday services.

American Chaldeans who have been calling on Washington DC have been turned away with sympathetic nods and comments of condolence. “They are snakes with forked tongues these politicians. All they do is talk and write letters showing they share our concern, but do nothing of substantial,” says David Kuza of Rochester, Michigan. “I voted for Gary Peters and Carl Levin. People in our community said these politicians can help us. Instead all they do is write hallmark letters. If they are serious about helping us let them take a stand by not voting or blocking any new legislation unless serious action is taken to protect Iraqi citizens.”

When Justin Meram scored a game-winning goal for the Michigan soccer team in the 89th minute last week against Oakland, he was thrilled to see good friend Brendan Gibbons cheering in the stands.

At some point, he plans to return the favor.

Meram, who became friends with the Michigan placekicker while practicing with the football team during summer camp, expects Gibbons will boot a game-winner for the Wolverines.

“It’s like soccer or any other sport,” Meram said. “When you have, say, some swagger, your confidence is high and everything is going right. I told Brendan after the Notre Dame game, if he would have made the first, chances are he would have made the second.”